Kelly Yang with Mychal Threets

Kelly Yang, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the beloved Front Desk series, is back at Kepler’s with her her first adult title, a provocative, fast-paced novel about two creative women—a young writer fighting to be heard and an older producer clinging to relevance—and the age reversal treatment that intertwines both of their lives.…

About the Book
Would you sell your youth for $3 million?
Maggie Wang, a broke young Asian American writer, needs a lifeline. Ingrid Parker, a veteran white Hollywood producer with her career on the edge, offers an irresistible deal: $3 million for ten experimental medical sessions to reverse her aging, using Maggie as a transfusion partner, and mentorship.
For Ingrid, it’s a chance to reboot her fading career. For Maggie, it’s access and freedom—money to support her parents and the connections to finally get her novel published.
What starts as a professional transaction exchanging blood quickly becomes a complex psychological dance. As Maggie gains unprecedented access to Ingrid’s hard-earned wisdom, Ingrid sees in Maggie a weapon against an industry that’s been trying to sideline her.
As their relationship intensifies, the rules around aging begin to shift. So does the balance of power between the two women, leaving both questioning who holds the upper hand and what they’re willing to sacrifice to succeed.

Kelly Yang will be in conversation with librarian and literacy advocate Mychal Threets.

About the Speakers

Kelly Yang is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Front Deskseries, New from Here, Finally Seen, Finally Heard, young adult novels Parachutes and Private Label, and picture books Yes We Will and Little Bird Laila. Her books have earned multiple awards, including the 2019 APALA Award for Children’s Literature and the Strega Prize, and have featured on multiple best of the year lists. Front Desk was named one of the Best Books of the 21st Century by Kirkus Reviews. In addition, Kelly has written screenplays and television pilots for Netflix, CBS Studios, and the CW. Kelly immigrated to the United States when she was six years old and grew up in Southern California. She went to college early and is a graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School. The Take is her first adult novel. (Photo Credit: Jessica Sample)

Mychal Threets is a librarian and literacy advocate named one of Time’s 100 most influential creators. Online, he shares videos of affirmations to assure people that their mental health always matters, and he encourages everyone to know they belong at the library. A former PBS kid himself, Mychal is proud to serve as PBS resident librarian. This is his first book. His cats, Machine Gun Kitty and Kissin’ Kat Barlow, did not help at all, but he still appreciates them.

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